First Real Cut Log

[Civdiv]

Dexa came back decent. Looks like my transition out of my cut is going okay. Haven't screwed myself up yet. My waist measurements have stayed pretty steady so I'm assuming (hoping) the increased fat mass is mostly glycogen and subq water refilling after adding back some carbs. As I said, I tried to dry out a little before this since I was carrying a ton of water.

So on to my next steps I guess. I don't really think I'm going to get the look I want this go around. I'm going to try to be happier with where I'm at now and focus on holding and dialing in maintenance calories the next 2 months and stay on track for a January 1st bulk. I'm down 90lbs and probably in a good spot to start adding mass with a decent base to start with.

 

[sionnach]

I don't really think I'm going to get the look I want this go around. I'm going to try to be happier with where I'm at now and focus on holding and dialing in maintenance calories the next 2 months and stay on track for a January 1st bulk. I'm down 90lbs and probably in a good spot to start adding mass with a decent base to start with.

Dexa looks great. Don't be discouraged. You're doing fuckin awesome dude. Just keep going.

 

[Civdiv]

Thanks dude. Would probably do me some good to go to a public pool and recalibrate my body standards instead of constantly comparing myself to a bunch of people here 15 years younger who've been dialing their shit in for 5-10 years.

Now I know why chicks keep fat friends around.

 

[BigDadd7]

I wouldn't let that little .7% effect me. There is as much art as there is science when they do these scans. Two different operators on two different days could cause those results.

 

[sionnach]

I wouldn't let that little .7% effect me. There is as much art as there is science when they do these scans. Two different operators on two different days could cause those results.

Hydration can cause different results.

"Will drinking water affect my scan?"

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[malfeasance]

Great job. I just read this log.

I was cracking up at all the posts complaining about being "flat," and I wanted to post "That's supposed to happen when you are cutting," but I didn't because I could see the post was months/weeks old.

It was neat seeing the progression pics all at once over time.

You should be proud of the progress you have made.

 

[Civdiv]

Great job. I just read this log.

I was cracking up at all the posts complaining about being "flat," and I wanted to post "That's supposed to happen when you are cutting," but I didn't because I could see the post was months/weeks old.

It was neat seeing the progression pics all at once over time.

You should be proud of the progress you have made.

Thanks! I really appreciate that. I feel pretty good about how far I've come. I've also learned a ton about how to eat. I wish I knew half of what I know now 20 years ago.

 

[Earthworm Jim]

Thanks dude. Would probably do me some good to go to a public pool and recalibrate my body standards instead of constantly comparing myself to a bunch of people here 15 years younger who've been dialing their shit in for 5-10 years.

Now I know why chicks keep fat friends around.

Or just scroll back up to your fat pics on page one. Great job bro

 

[Civdiv]

Haven't updated in a while. I officially called the cycle in early November. My primary goal was to get my fat ass back in shape, and get lean enough to put on some real mass. I think I'm as good as I'm going to get for now on both of those. My labs never got too out of whack, but I pushed it to the end of my comfort zone for being an old man. Early to mid November I dropped to 120mgm/wk test, and worked hard on refeeding and learning to hold weight. I'm still actually struggling to dial in my maintenance macros. I'm pretty sure I've been under fed since transitioning to maintenance. I had been shooting for around 2700 calories (210p 65f 280-300c). I still haven't had pumps in the gym like I used to get before cutting. Also have not progressed at all. Over Thanksgiving my calories were closer to 3500 and I noticed a big difference. My weight jumped from 205 to 217 in the last few weeks, but my waist stayed pretty steady. Maybe up 3/4 inch. Chest and thighs up over an inch. Getting back that good post workout pump I've been missing and going up some in weights instead of struggling through sets. I'm going to hold 3500 calories for another month or so and see how it goes. I'll get another dexa then and make sure I'm not fattening back up.

Honesty it's hard as hell to watch the scale rise after so much hard work. At my lowest I hit 195lb. At 217 I feel like I'm undoing all my progress. That said I look better than I did at 195, and I definitely feel better. I'm going to really try to not stress the scale, and focus on mirror and measurements. Again for reference in 5'11".

I've got some significant shoulder problems I've been trying to resolve but still planning on a solid 20 week mass cycle starting in January. I'm not going into my planned stack. Honestly, it might be a little advanced for my level, but I've been planning and researching for months and feel pretty good about it. I also spent some time in my cut learning how my body reacts to different compounds. I get it's different when you're growing but I'm more worried about what I can tolerate. My diet is pretty dialed in and I'll grow decently no matter what. I just want to feel good, be as healthy as possible and do what works for me. I also want to max out what kind of lean mass I can put on since I only have a few of these cycles left at my age. That's why I'm probably planning on pushing a little harder than what would be recommended.

I'll start a new thread for my bulk cycle a few months into it the same as I did for this one. I can't tell you how much I appreciate everyone in the community that reached out to support or critique my progress so far. I rely pretty heavily on the knowledge of others here. That said I'll post some final pictures of where I'm settling in and getting ready for my next phase. Posting the wife too since she dropped 70lbs and cut with me. Couldn't have done it without her. I can't flex without her ripping off her shirt and showing me her bicep veins. Also throwing in one last Pic of where I started.

 

[JG91]

One of the best threads. I was skeptical in the early pages to be honest. But your transformation is insane.

Congratulations OP!

 

[Civdiv]

One of the best threads. I was skeptical in the early pages to be honest. But your transformation is insane.

Congratulations OP!

Thanks man. I really appreciate that. It was hard work.